Wildcats post 3-1 victory over Vikings

By JOE SOVA

Hungry Horse News

Columbia Falls netted three goals in the first 15 minutes Saturday and went on to a 3-1 Northern A boys soccer victory over Bigfork at CFHS.

It was the Wildcats' first league win of the season, giving them a 1-2-1 mark going into Thursday's home match against Polson. The Cats are 4-2-1 overall. They play Saturday at Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Bigfork dropped to 1-2 and 2-4.

The Cats were coming off a strong second half four days earlier against Whitefish and CFHS coach Peter Browne feels there was some carryover value.

"That was a big moral victory," Browne said of the second 40 minutes against Whitefish. "We tried to capitalize on that emotion and we did a little bit. We still have to put a full 80 minutes together.

Four minutes into Saturday's match against Bigfork, DJ Stoneman scored for the Cats, assisted by Uriah Keller. Josh McNeil scored twice — at the 10- and 15-minute marks — to give CFHS a 3-0 halftime lead. Stoneman and Edgar Salcido had the assists.

Roland Benedict scored on a free kick seven minutes into the second half, but that was the only goal that the Cats would allow. Keeper George Kimerly had two saves. Levi Dockstader had four for the Vikings.

"We played a good first half," Browne said. "They we kind of got a little lackadaisical and missed a few marks and almost let them back in the game. We lost a little intensity."

According to Browne, McNeil played well on the left side and defender Grant Getts had a good game.

CFHS can't afford a letdown against a Polson team the Cats shut out 8-0 in a nonconference game in late August.

"We really need to put the wood to anyone below us in the conference," Browne said.

In other Northern A matches, Whitefish blanked Polson 8-0 on Thursday and Libby shut out the Pirates 6-0 on Saturday.

CFHS runners find groove at Ronan

The Columbia Falls cross country team is finding a groove as runners posted their best times of the season at the Ronan Invitational last Thursday in Pablo.

Top runner for the boys was Shawn Whitman with a time of 16:56, good enough for fifth place. Patric Jessat was seventh with a 17:03 and Tripp Gimbel was 10th with a 17:14.

On the girls varsity side, top runners Nicole Mickelson at 18th with a 21:35, and Anna Downen took 20th with a 21:40.

But coach Steve Gasche was particularly impressed with his JV girls squad.

"The most exciting race of the day was the girls JV race," he said. "Nicki Moser, Tessa Cowan and Madison Stolte led the team to victory with their 1-2-3 finish. Nicki's winning time of 21:21 was the fastest Wildkat time of the season. Tessa and Madison both had their season-best times of 22:12 and 22:17, respectively."

Alexas Young finished in ninth place with a season-best time of 22:54, and Chelsey Marjerrison had a season-best time of 23:3, placing 14th.

"It was a lot of fun watching Nicki, Tessa and Madison leading the race. Having Alexas also finishing in the top 10 and Chelsey in the top 15 clinched the team victory for the Wildkats," Gasche said.

In boys JV action, Pascal Jessat ran a 19:20, taking fifth, and Kodiak Gimbel placed seventh with a 19:32. Bruce Bennett was 13th (19:58), Michael Pachnik 14th (19:59) and Jacob Silva 16th (20:06).

The boys JV team placed second overall — finishing behind only Libby's varsity team by a mere eight points.

"That was an exceptional showing for the boys," Gasche said.

The next race is in Missoula at the University of Montana Golf Course on Saturday. Races start at 9:30 a.m.

If Niki Elek is OK from her leg injury, she's could run.

"If she gets clearance to compete, we will run Nicki, Mickelson, Downen, Houle and Marjerrison," Gasche said.